Film · in order
The Purge Movies in Order
There are five Purge films. Release order works fine, but you can also start with the 2018 prequel The First Purge for chronological order.
The Purge Movies in Order — complete list
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Why this order?
The Purge is a dystopian horror-action franchise built on a single chilling premise: for one night each year, all crime — including murder — is legal in America. Across five films, the series widens its lens from a single home invasion to a full nationwide reckoning, and the question of viewing order comes down to whether you want escalating stakes or true beginnings.
Release order is the simplest and the way most fans first experienced it: The Purge (2013), The Purge: Anarchy (2014), The Purge: Election Year (2016), The First Purge (2018), and The Forever Purge (2021). This path mirrors how the world-building was revealed to audiences — you start small and claustrophobic, then watch the scope explode outward, and the 2018 prequel lands as a deliberate look back once you already understand the system.
Chronological order rearranges things around The First Purge, which is an origin story depicting the very first experimental "purge" on Staten Island that launched the annual tradition. By story timeline you would watch The First Purge, then The Purge, Anarchy, Election Year, and finally The Forever Purge, which pushes the concept past its breaking point. Both orders are valid; the only real "gotcha" is that The First Purge releases fourth but happens first.
If you enjoy this kind of high-concept genre filmmaking from producer Jason Blum's Blumhouse, the franchise sits comfortably alongside other Blumhouse staples like Insidious, Sinister, and The Black Phone, and shares thematic DNA with social-thriller fare such as Get Out. There is also a USA Network TV series simply titled The Purge, which expands the mythology but is not required to follow the films.
Timeline 2013–2021
Every entry plotted by release year — see the gaps, clusters and revivals at a glance.
Where to play it today
Affiliate links (Bookshop.org for books, store links for games/films) slot in here.
Frequently asked questions
How many Purge movies are there?
There are five Purge movies: The Purge (2013), The Purge: Anarchy (2014), The Purge: Election Year (2016), The First Purge (2018), and The Forever Purge (2021).
What order should I watch The Purge in?
Release order is the easiest and most popular: The Purge, Anarchy, Election Year, The First Purge, then The Forever Purge. For story chronology, start with the 2018 prequel The First Purge instead.
Is The First Purge a prequel?
Yes. The First Purge is an origin story showing the very first experimental Purge night on Staten Island, even though it was the fourth film released.
Do I need to watch the movies in order?
The films are loosely connected and mostly follow new characters, so each can stand alone, but watching in order gives you the full picture of how the Purge expands and is eventually challenged.
Is there a Purge TV series?
Yes. A TV series called The Purge ran for two seasons on USA Network, expanding the universe. It is separate from the films and not required viewing.
Will there be a sixth Purge movie?
Creator James DeMonaco has discussed ideas for another installment, but as of early 2026 no sixth film has been officially confirmed or released.
Last verified · Sources: en.wikipedia.org, Wikidata
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